Motivation for Every day of the week

#MotivationMonday has been extended!!

Motivation Monday has been so successful we've decided to share a daily dose of encouragement for each day of this week! 

In this post you'll find a photo for each day of the week.
Underneath each photo will be a short prayer, a helpful tip and a challenge for that day. 
Come back every day this week to draw closer to God and closer to a week filled with accomplishment and success! 

Let's Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Thank you for the gift of a new week. We pray for a positive attitude that we may see the best in every person and in every situation this week. We pray that we may find you in even the most unusual of places. Let us feel your spirit guide us throughout the week. Give us the words to speak to the people you bring into our lives. Let our actions model your great love. 
Lord, when others see us, let them see you instead. 

In Jesus Name, 
​Amen

Monday's Motivational Tip

Our thoughts become our words, our words become our actions, our actions become our character. 

With this in mind let's be cautious of what we allow to enter our minds. Let's pay close attention to what we spend our time thinking about and if it is not pleasing to God - do not allow it to live in your precious mind.
Let's choose our words carefully and always strive to speak in truth and love.
​Let our actions reflect Christ. 
Let our character be one of integrity, hard work, discipline, and kindness. 
Seek God through continual prayer to mold our thoughts, words, actions, and character. 

Monday's Challenge

What is the smallest sacrifice you can make for someone today? 

​Thoughts - Can you say a prayer for a friend?
Words - Can you speak encouragement to a coworker?
Actions - Can you help a neighbor with a chore?
Character - Can you take the time to actively listen to your spouse without judging as they confide in you? Can you reassure them that they are safe with you and that they can trust you completely and then live up to that?

Let's Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Thank you for this day and another opportunity to share your love with others.
Lord, we ask you to place people in our lives that will encourage and support us. We pray that we will also be that for someone else. We thank you that you did not put us on this Earth alone, but that you have provided friends, family, and most importantly your Holy Spirit to comfort us in this life. 
We pray for any relationships that need mending today. If we are harboring unforgiveness, please help us to release it.
If we have anger or bitterness inside of us, please see that it is removed. 
Lord, please cleanse us of all unholiness. 

In Jesus Name, 
​Amen 

Tuesday's Triumphant Tip

Make Your Bed.

I know what you're thinking. What a silly tip! But roll with me here.
​You can find a ton of research about whether or not making your bed each morning correlates with success.
While it's true that In today's society we can find an article online to support pretty much any theory we may have, the evidence in favor of making your bed each morning tends to be overwhelmingly - yes, you should! 
I've included an article about why it might just be the most simple routine change that positively impacts the rest of your life!
Click here to read from Dr. Heather Denniston's perspective. 

Tuesday's Challenge

You guessed it!
You're challenged to make your bed every day for the rest of this week! 
If you are already someone who makes their bed then you are challenged to comment on this post to encourage others.
​Tell us why you do it. How did it become a routine for you?
Was it something you've always done?
​If not, how did it impact your life once you started doing it?
​We want to hear from you!

Let's Pray 

Dear Heavenly Father, 

You are so, so good to us!
Even in our most difficult times, our hardest struggles, our deepest sorrows -
​you - are - good!
There is nothing we cannot face, when we place our faith in you. 
There is nothing we cannot conquer when our strength comes from you. 
You are our provider, our hope for the future, our redeemer. 
Let our voices always sing your praise. 
You are worthy!

In Jesus Name, 
​Amen 

Wednesday's Worship Tip

Commit to worshiping God in your trying times this week. 
Prayer and praise changes things. 
If we will worship God during the difficulties we encounter - our faith will flourish, our gratitude will grow, our feet will be set on a firm foundation and we will not be shaken!

Wednesday's Challenge 

Listen to this worship song to start your day. With any trial that you face throughout the week, recall the words to this song and let his praise be on your lips. 
Come back and let us know how God has used this song to inspire you this week. 

Let's Pray

Dear Heavenly Father,

We pray that this day is filled with thanksgiving.
We pray that you fill us with an attitude of gratitude.
When we are tempted to complain, remind us of all that you have blessed us with.
We pray that you would convict us to take the time to count our blessings and name them out loud. We pray that no obstacle is able to separate us from the joy we have found in you alone!
May appreciation flow from our heart with every word and action of this day.

In Jesus Name, 
​Amen.

Thursday's Thankful Tip

Paul told us that he learned to be content in all things. 
What would our life look like if we chose contentment in spite of our feelings?
Betrayed? Responding with contentment. 
Lonely? Content.
Poor health? Content.
In need? Content.
Depressed? Content. 
​Incarcerated? Content.
The list goes on and on. Paul had been through so many unimaginable things.
​If he can do it, God can surely provide the strength for any of us to do it. 

Thursday's Challenge

Start a gratitude journal. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, but it can be if you'd like!
It could be a simple list of something you are thankful for each day.
Or if you'd like to dive deeper, check out these gratitude prompts from The Petite Planner.
This is also a great idea to do with your kids or as an entire family. 
The more gratitude we possess the less room there is for entitlement and selfishness. 
Come back and share your experience!
​

Thank God it's Friday!

Let's Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, 

We thank you for the little joys in our life, like the feeling that Friday brings after a week of hard work. Lord, we pray that we find as much joy in all the other days, too.
Help us to take the time to recognize that our happiness does not have to come at the end of the week, but can be found in all of your wonderful blessings each and every day.
Let us have eyes that see miracles in what appear to be the mundane and hearts that seek to find fulfillment in you!

In Jesus Name, 

​Amen

Friday's Faithful Tip

On days that our faith is wavering and thoughts of doubt dart around in our mind - choose to trust God. 
The second step in the 12 steps of AA talks about admitting
that there is a God and you are not him. 
This step can be very difficult for nonbelievers or those of us who battle with unanswered questions. 
One of the suggestions for anyone who struggles with this step is to believe any way and watch God work. 
If you'll recall, there's also an example in the Bible of a man who struggled with his faith. 
He prayed, "Lord I believe, help my unbelief."
It you have ever found yourself lacking faith, pray that same prayer. 
"Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief."
Have faith, even when you don't feel​ like you have faith. 

Friday's Challenge

This one may take you out of your comfort zone, but hey, isn't that the point of a challenge?
Ask someone about their faith today. 
Get to know what your coworker believes. 
Ask your neighbor or a friend.
Heck, ask all of Facebook! Start the conversation on your news feed. 
Let's normalize talking about our faith.
After they've shared what they believe, ask if it's okay to share your own beliefs. 
You'll be surprised at how receptive they may be and who knows, you may just be the one who leads them to Christ, simply by caring enough to ask. 
Share the good news!

Let's Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Help us to care for ourself in a healthy manner.
Help us to be responsible for the mind, body and soul you have blessed us with. 
When the world tries to sell us indulgence, lead us to integrity and fulfillment found only in you!
When our selfish desires are not in line with yours, please probe our hearts to follow your will.
When we focus on me, me, me, we forget about You, You, You.
We are grateful that when our faith remains in You, You will meet our every need. 

Thank You Jesus, 

​Amen

 Saturday's Self-care Tip 

In a society that has coined the phrase "Treat yo self," - help us to remember that we are set apart. We live in this world, but we are not of this world. 
We are not seeking a temporary satisfaction found in a fleeting reward.
Quite the contrary, we are searching for an eternal fulfillment found only in Jesus!
Oftentimes the messages we hear in the media tell us that we should "reward" ourselves with unhealthy food, alcohol, spending unnecessary money or lazy days. 
Instead, let us be rewarded by resting in your presence, by the renewing of our mind, by the refreshing of our spirit.  
We have been given so many gifts that are to be enjoyed. Let's enjoy them in a way that honors God. 
Focus on self-care that provides healing as a whole and brings us closer to Jesus. 

Tip: Check out this article by Sarah Koontz on 7 things Christian Women Need to Know about Self-Care

Saturday's Challenge

Choose to practice self-care that places Jesus above self. 
*Give yourself the gift of time*
- Time spent in The Word with The Lord.
- Time spent learning a new craft can be therapeutic and can ultimately be used to help others.
- Time spent in the gym, sauna, exercise class, these are all good for our mental and physical health. Play some worship music, while you work out to add in spiritual benefits. 
- Time spent away from your device. We can all agree this is a real challenge and totally undervalued. Try it and see how much better you feel!
Come back and share what you came up with!

Surrender Sunday

Is something weighing heavy on your mind?
​What are you carrying that you need to surrender to God?

Let's Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, 

We come humbly before you, bearing burdens, holding hurts, craving your comfort and pleading for your peace. Lord, we are a broken people. Even at our best, we still have worries weighing on our minds and concerns competing for our attention.
We pray that you would provide us the ability to surrender our desire to control. 
Let our heart's cry boldly declare,
"Your will be done."
Let us feel the burdens break, the hurts heal, the worries wash away, and the concerns come crashing down. 
Lord, we praise your holy, mighty name!

​Amen

Sunday Surrender Tip

Just because God is ultimately in control, does not mean that he wants us to merely be a bystander in our own lives. Decisions have to be made and our choices have consequences. 
All too often we give too much attention to the things that are outside of our control and thus, take away from the positive impact we could be making if we were to give more attention to what is within our control. 
When we read God's word and pray for wisdom, he provides us with the ability to make wise choices. Furthermore, he expects us to make choices in line with his will.
Having said all of that, this worksheet can be helpful with narrowing down what is within your control and what you simply must give to God. 
Click here for an example of how to create your own "circle of control."  

For example:
I can't control how how my spouse speaks to me, but I can control how I choose to respond. 
or
I can't control whether or not my adult child will continue to abuse alcohol, but I can control the boundaries I choose to put in place. 
Now, you try it and come back to let us know your experience!
If you need some more examples click here.

Sunday Challenge

Simply Surrender. 
Call out to God and ask him to be Lord of your life. 
Will you accept the challenge?

I've Surrendered

We hope you enjoyed this extended version of Motivation Monday!
We sure loved spending some extra time in prayer with you!
If there is anything specific you would like for us to pray about - contact us below. 

Prayer Request

Until Next Time, 

​Your Praying Friend

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